No eggs from 6month old Rhode Island Red... what am I doing wrong?

[Reedie82]

Hello everyone.

I am long time reader, first time poster.

I recently dove into the backyard chicken game and picked up 2 Rhode Island reds back in mid April.

i have been following all the advise on these forum pages with regards to feed (high Protein until they were 18 weeks then switched them to layer feed, plenty of fresh water, etc). During the day they mostly free range but they have access to food and water inside the run 24/7.

they are now 25-26 weeks old and I am still to see a single egg from either one.

I placed dummy eggs in the nesting box. Nesting box is secluded and well padded. I had read that they could be laying In The garden somewhere so each night I would search the bushes and found no sign of eggs. This past week I even kept them cooped up (pun intended) but still have not seen a single egg.

from what I have read so far, I have one of the following issues.

1) chickens are in fact younger than I thought (I bought them on Craigslist so may not be a reputable seller). I have attached picture of the hens when I got them at 12 weeks and what they look like now. Perhaps someone can tell me if my ages are off?

2) I have roosters... damn you Craigslist chicken guy...

3) something else that I have not tried yet???

any help from the community would be greatly appreciated.

kind regards
Danny

 

[The Happster]

Nope, both look like girls.

Probably the age is off, the comb growth doesn't look near 6 months.
I should think you'd get eggs reasonably soon, seeing as the combs are starting to grow & redden.

 

[Mk_lanch]

the one of the left is defo a girl, but i feel they are a bit younger than you were told. they dont look big enough to be laying yet.

 

[cluckadoodledoo13]

I agree with both other replies the aging is off. Both are definitely girls, don’t worry! The first pic looks as if they are about 9 weeks or so? They should start laying within the next few months as long as they have enough protein. Keep us updated!

 

[rosemarythyme]

They're girls, and yes probably a bit younger than you thought.

They'd benefit from being back on grower or all flock, something with more protein, and less calcium, as they're not yet laying and not imminent yet either. If it's just these 2, a small bag would do.

 

[Sequel]

They look like pullets to me too! Yep I’d keep them on grower or all flock for the better protein levels as well. Lovely birds you have there, it’s good you have a sense of humor about the possibilities!

 

[Reedie82]

All,

thank you everyone for your responses (and sorry for the late reply).

Following my original post, Quara’s (the bigger one) comb came in and was bright red. Tine’s (the smaller one) comb is growing in but is still smaller.

Today I went out to check on the ladies and behold! Our first eggs!!!

very thankful for everyone’s advice.

 

[JWHess]

All,

thank you everyone for your responses (and sorry for the late reply).

Following my original post, Quara’s (the bigger one) comb came in and was bright red. Tine’s (the smaller one) comb is growing in but is still smaller.

Today I went out to check on the ladies and behold! Our first eggs!!!

very thankful for everyone’s advice.

Hello everyone.

I am long time reader, first time poster.

I recently dove into the backyard chicken game and picked up 2 Rhode Island reds back in mid April.

i have been following all the advise on these forum pages with regards to feed (high Protein until they were 18 weeks then switched them to layer feed, plenty of fresh water, etc). During the day they mostly free range but they have access to food and water inside the run 24/7.

they are now 25-26 weeks old and I am still to see a single egg from either one.

I placed dummy eggs in the nesting box. Nesting box is secluded and well padded. I had read that they could be laying In The garden somewhere so each night I would search the bushes and found no sign of eggs. This past week I even kept them cooped up (pun intended) but still have not seen a single egg.

from what I have read so far, I have one of the following issues.

1) chickens are in fact younger than I thought (I bought them on Craigslist so may not be a reputable seller). I have attached picture of the hens when I got them at 12 weeks and what they look like now. Perhaps someone can tell me if my ages are off?

2) I have roosters... damn you Craigslist chicken guy...

3) something else that I have not tried yet???

any help from the community would be greatly appreciated.

kind regards
Danny

I have the identical situation and my Reds look identical to yours. I also have a Red that I got at the same time with much more pronounced comb & waddle & much bigger. I suspect it's a rooster but no crowing at all but it also has crook-neck and runs around in circles all day long. He/she gets by ok but is picked on a lot. I just hope I see those first eggs soon as you did.

 

[Flockincrazy]

They look to small for 6mths I would just give them time the hardest part of waiting for them to lay eggs is the wait but have patience it will happen